Hauraki leads Godolphin’s G1 Doncaster triple challenge

Hauraki will attempt to add the second of Sydney racing’s G1 mile features to his record when he runs in Saturday’s Doncaster Handicap on another rain-soaked track at Randwick.

The winner of the G1 Epsom Handicap last Spring, Hauraki heads a Godolphin challenge in the $3 million race that is completed by the imported runners It’s Somewhat and Spectroscope.

For trainer John O’Shea the unsuitable ground is the only negative confronting Huaraki (James Doyle) who has shown his customary reliability in two lead-up races, finishing third in the G1 Canterbury Stakes behind Le Romain and fourth to Winx in the G1 Ryder Stakes.

“Unfortunately he hasn’t had the best of preps with all his runs being on heavy ground, and it doesn’t appear he’ll get anything but that again on Saturday,” O’Shea said.

Hauraki’s consistency is endorsed by a record highlighted by his Epsom win, five G1 second placings and almost A$2.5 million in prizemoney.

And O’Shea believes he is racing as well as ever.

“He’s in wonderful form and he has a tremendous record over the mile at Randwick,” he said.

“He’ll be ridden quietly as always and see if he can come over the top of them. The horse is in good order, that’s the most important thing.”

The Doncaster also provides an opportunity for It’s Somewhat (Zac Purton) to step up to the top grade and for Spectroscope (Joao Moreira) to improve on his two-from-two record since arriving from France.

“It’s Somewhat is probably a very good chance of running in the top four or five,” O’Shea said

“He drops in weight off a good first up win, his record at Randwick at the mile is good – he’s run third to Winx at weight-for-age -  he gets through the ground and he’ll roll forward and take up a position.”

“He worked brilliantly on Wednesday morning and early in his prep he’s very effective.”

Spectroscope comes into the Doncaster off wins in lesser grade, but O’Shea is looking forward to gaining further insight into the son of Medaglia D’Oro.   

“Spectroscope has come a long way in a short time since arriving from France,” the trainer said.

“He’s in wonderful order, he’s just got to back up from his win last Saturday, and that’s an unknown element.

“He gets through the ground and he’s a happy little horse, but it’s a challenge for him to go from restricted company to Group One company, even with no weight, at this stage of his career.”

In a race that features runners from Japan, Ireland, England, France and Hong Kong, the leading prospects appear to be the local pair Le Romain and Happy Clapper.